Disclaimer: Not mine :( … except the plot and idea, etc.
A/N: Review Responses after chapter, I know you'd prefer the story first! ;)
!-!-!.........!-!-!
The Five-Oh Show.
Chapter 4: Dilemmas.
Flush faced and panting, Draco and Harry arrived in the Great Hall to the rehearsal last. Adjusting his robes to make them presentable, Harry grimaced at everyone's stares at the two. Perhaps Malfoy and he shouldn't have come together, Harry thought belatedly. He could already see some people's minds working and probably coming up with something dramatic like 'Malfoy and Potter were duelling' or such.
"How kind of you to join us Mr Potter and Mr Malfoy," sneered an all too familiar voice. Snape stared at them piercingly, his upper lip curling in disdain at the dishevelled pair.
Harry could see the rest of the… 'Lemon Drops,' he shuddered sitting on the stage behind Snape, Hermione was giving him a faint smile with a touch of amusement over something, while Ron frowned.
"You're very welcome, sir," muttered Draco sarcastically, just out of hearing range.
"Well?" drawled Snape, black eyes glinting with… something. Harry raised an eyebrow as he and Draco strode across the room to the stage, Draco veering off to sit with Nott and Blaise Zabini, and Harry with Ron and Hermione.
"Now that everyone is finally present, we may continue. The first rehearsal of this childish, atrocious disaster is to be the same for each group." Snape crossed his arms, his pale long fingers splayed over each black clothed elbow. "According to Professor Dumbledore, you are to scamper off in your little groups and brainstorm at least 5 major acts, in which one, several or all of you are to take a part in. If anything is found… inappropriate, you will need to squeeze those empty minds for something else to do. You may use the stage to get a feel for the space you will have. If you have any queries, see me."
With that, everyone burst into conversation.
"Where were you?" hissed Hermione, watchful for eavesdroppers.
Harry immediately leaned in and proceeded to fill them in.
"Shit, mate," breathed Ron. "Can't say I didn't expect it though. You know, them wanting revenge and all. Still, they can't seriously be considering taking down the Boy-who-lived-to-defeat-Voldemort! It's a suicide mission."
Ron had made the switch from 'You-Know-Who' to Voldemort shortly before the Great Battle. It had been an enormous gesture of Ron's determination to win and get through it alive, even if his family had not escaped completely unscathed.
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Ron, as much as I'm sure Harry appreciates your support, you need to look at this realistically. Not that I'm saying you can't defend yourself Harry, but there are some extremely angry and powerful dark wizards out there."
"Nothing on Voldemort though," stated Harry more to himself.
"Mmm," murmured Hermione. "But who knows what sick twisted schemes they could come up with to kidnap and torture you. Harry, I'm scared. Aren't you?" she admitted quietly.
"No, nervous a little maybe. I mean, Draco has to go with anything they throw, so I guess it's more the fact he might be involved in whatever it is they do to me, and I hate the idea of it." Harry shuddered involuntarily.
"I still can't believe you're friends with ferret boy. He's 'good' and all, but still… Slytherin…" Ron made a sick face.
"Hey! Come on Ron, you know I was almost placed in Slytherin." Harry playfully pushed Ron on the shoulder.
Hermione giggled unexpectedly.
"What?" asked Harry defensively.
"Oh nothing, it's just that…" she got that look of amusement she had when he and Malfoy had run into the Great Hall late. "When you and Malfoy came in all red and dishevelled, I just thought… I mean obviously you wouldn't, but…" she stammered, glancing at Ron, between laughs. "You looked like you'd either been fighting, but me knowing your… special situation… your appearances could almost have passed for… fooling around or something," she said laughing harder.
Ron got a look of realisation on his face, but Harry didn't notice because he was too busy matching Hermione's… interesting… description of him and Malfoy and Snape's strange glint in his onyx eyes. Not that he always made a thing of examining Snape's eyes, he admonished himself quickly.
"Harry, you aren't, are you? You and Malfoy I mean," asked Ron, ears pink.
Harry had told Hermione he was bisexual the year before and Ron shortly afterwards. Ron had taken it well, considering, but made it an annoying habit of joking about Harry not giving details. Harry respected that need of Ron's nonetheless. He knew Ron was truly ok with it, "If you'd fancied me, you'd have told me already."
"What?" asked Harry, distractedly raking a hand through his unyielding locks. He'd been so caught up in how Hermione could have come to such a conclusion he'd totally missed what Ron had said.
"So," said a velvet voice.
The trio all looked up startled, wondering how much of their conversation had been overheard. Hermione in her mirth had failed to keep watch.
"What has the golden trio come up with? I think everyone would like to know," snarled Snape, always managing to slither up behind them.
All three flushed bright red in embarrassment and strain to think of something.
"Marilyn Monroe," burst forth Hermione. "An impression of Marilyn?"
"One idea? In all this time you have one? Well I can't say I'm not astounded by your total lack of…"
"We have others!" interrupted Ron hotly. "Like… like…"
"Frank Sinatra? Well… he did some songs in the fifties too," added Hermione quickly.
"I Love Lucy! It started in the 50's… I think…" trailed off Ron, looking earnest. "Mum used to watch it when Dad first got into Muggles…"
Hermione, Snape and Harry all stared at Ron.
"And you Mr. Potter? Or has it been just your friends doing all the work and you just… fantasizing?" asked Snape pointedly, a contained burning fury in his eyes.
"Oh… er, well…" stammered Harry.
"Actually Professor, Marilyn Monroe was Harry's idea. Frank Sinatra was mine," said Hermione, thinking quick as usual.
Harry felt relief flood through him. He loved Hermione. He should really tell her more often.
Snape sniffed, before a truly evil smile crept on his face. "Well I shall look forward to Potter's impression of her in the play, shall I? I assume he will be equipped with the white dress and a wind charm?" smirking, Snape turned and left before anyone could protest.
Harry gaped. WHAT!?!?!?!
"WHAT?!" he exclaimed, eyes popping comically. "No WAY is HE getting me in a DRESS to do Marilyn Monroe!!"
He couldn't believe it. Ron was laughing, actually laughing! He hated Hermione. He should really tell her that. Or show her.
He made a strangling motion with his hands when Ron stopped him.
"It could have been worse," he said chuckling. "I might have been forced to play Lucy!"
"Well it's good you aren't then, isn't it Weasel?" came Malfoy's drawl. "I mean at least Potter has great legs!"
Zabini and Nott guffawed. Ron went red and Hermione quickly laid a hand on his arm.
"Shut it Malfoy," snapped Hermione. "Harry doesn't have to do anything he doesn't want to, so you can take your evil sidekicks-in-training and teach them some ferret tricks."
Harry had forgotten how much Hermione could truly act, and act to her enjoyment at the same time, he thought with a mental smile.
"10 points from Gryffindor, Miss Granger," said Snape, who had come up behind them again to see what the commotion was about, or maybe he had been watching them the entire time, Harry didn't know.
Before Ron could protest at the unfairness, that Malfoy provoked them first Snape called to everyone's attention.
"I'll be asking each of you for your ideas and we can initiate sorting out who is going to do what, Patil you first."
Parvati's eyes shone with enthusiasm as she sucked in a huge breath.
"Well, many of the old fifties movies have the classic fifties restaurants with jukeboxes and so on, but the classier ones didn't use them. Instead they would have a live performance every night with showgirls, dancers and singers.
One of the most popular was a showgirl in feathers and costume jewellery who would do a stripping act and swing on a hanging cable which the seat would be something fancy, like a heart shape or similar, and well, I'd really like to do a solo act like that with a band, and I want to sing too. I mean, can I? Professor?"
Snape was tracing his mouth with one pale finger, a habit when he was deep in thought, as he watched her carefully.
"I would think it perfectly fine, but have some concerns with the stripping part of your act-"
"But, Professor Dumble-" started Parvati, eyes bright with desperate tears.
"However, I'm aware of our Headmaster making a little joke of not wearing clothes if it had a connection with what it was representing. So, as long as you are not planning on exposing everything," a lip curled in distaste. Severus wasn't really into women. "I'll warrant it." He finished with a look that clearly said he didn't, but was obligated to.
"Thankyou Professor Snape!" gushed Parvati, beaming. She never thought she'd ever say that in her life truthfully.
"Mr. Smith, do you have any ideas?" asked Snape smoothly, wishing to detain the excitable girl.
Zacharias cleared his throat and stood up.
"My 2nd cousin is a squib, and he works in a leather shop for a living in the muggle world. He designs clothing, tools and accessories to sell. Well, he told me that in the 50's leather was a huge fashion deal, especially encouraged by the image of James Dean. My idea was several of the guys and me wear leather for any play or other idea someone came up with," replied Zacharias briskly.
Ron grabbed Harry's hand and put their hands up.
"We'll do it with you Smith," said Ron. At least this way Harry could get out of Marilyn Monroe's dress. He had no idea how 'out' Harry would eventually get.
Snape sighed in mock resignation. "And here we were looking forward to a Marilyn impersonation from you Mr. Potter," sneered Snape. "Very well."
The meeting went on and soon everyone had something to do in the show.
"Next rehearsal we will be writing scenes, dialogue, songs, researching spells to use, decoration designs and costume designs. Bring anything you think you might need. Dismissed."
The Great Hall emptied and soon the Hermione, Ron and Harry were the only ones left.
Two minutes later Draco Malfoy had opened the Great Hall door and slipped gracefully inside again.
Severus Snape folded his arms and leant against the stage.
"Well I guess the adventures of the Boy-Who-Lived continue to grow," he commented snidely. "What's happened now?"
Draco and Harry took it in turns to talk as they informed Snape of their newest dilemma. Harry kept noticing the dark looks, or calculating glances that Snape would occasionally throw at Malfoy and resolved to visit Severus tonight when everyone was asleep to talk to the man.
After the young men had finished, Snape rubbed his eyes tiredly.
"Well as of yet there seems to be nothing we can do except to increase the school's security to what it was when Voldemort was alive and keep an eye on the Daily Prophet for any news of prison breaks. I believe it will only be a short time until your father is out and about, up to his ways again. Mr. Malfoy I expect you to play along of course-"
-Here Draco grimaced-
"And as for now there's nothing you lot can do, so don't try anything. None of your Gryffindor foolishness will help yet, if Lucius so much has the fleeting thought that his son is betraying him, it's over. He will be tortured and I'll be discovered next. We'll end up with two dead spies and Mr. Potter next on the list with no eyes or ears in the back of his head to aid him."
A grim silence passed.
"Shall we go to Dumbledore now, sir?" asked Hermione, hands shaking slightly.
"No, I'll report to him now, you four do nothing but keep your eyes and ears peeled and take the utmost precautions to ensure that important conversations remain unheard. Even if you think what you are discussing is absurd or trivial." He looked pointedly at the Gryffindors. "You four go back to your common rooms now. You'll receive summons over the next few days if you are needed. Mr. Malfoy, you know to report to Dumbledore immediately if something new and unanticipated occurs. I'm astounded you didn't go to him first." He glared at Draco.
"I felt it necessary to inform Har- Potter myself, sir," responded Draco unflinchingly.
"Hmm," muttered Snape softly. "Well next time then."
"Next time I'll most likely go to Potter first too, sir," said Draco adamantly.
Snape stared at Draco appraisingly.
"Mr. Malfoy, come to my office. The rest of you are dismissed. Remember what I said."
Reluctantly, Harry, Hermione and Ron all left the Hall and traipsed to their common room quietly.
"I wonder what's up Snape's arse," commented Ron, confused.
Harry didn't say anything except thinking about his resolve to visit Severus tonight. Something was bothering the man, and he intended to find out what.
Hermione, likewise was silent, also pondering the same thing except she was coming up with much more fruit from inside her brilliant, bushy head than either of the other two put together.
-10 minutes later:-
"MALFOY THINKS YOU'VE GOT GREAT LEGS?!?!" came Ron's screech.
!-!-!.........!-!-!
Response to Reviews:
SevfanThanks for your review and I hope you're not disappointed (and won't be with the… other stuff) ;)
Tigris T Draconis: Wow! I'm flattered that you are still reading this.. and kinda in awe, actually. I'm glad you said bad-girl/prankster, kinda spooky actually, because that is what I had planned and you'll be using your smart Ravenclaw ways and applying them to… not so Ravenclaw but bad, pranky things! Lol! I hope you like, I've got such big plans for Neville's group!! Yup, I'll continue to update (read Kelly's review…)
Kelly: Wow, you think it has potential? Yay! Lol. Thanks sincerely though! I won't change anything now, I've decided to write anyway even if no one reads this, because I just love writing it. shrugs I hope you won't be disappointed…
Sapphirewicca88: Thankyou! I will if I need any!
CofaymYou make a very good point, and I hope you'll continue to read this!!
Sno Iris: It is hard for people to see where I'm going with this, and even as it becomes clearer I still love having the element of surprise. I'll warn you though, there may be some major cliffhangers ahead, but I intend to update after those pretty much immediately anyway ;)
cRudEdly: I understand what you are saying, but I was not fishing for compliments, I was fishing for TRUE opinions. I'm a very self-conscious writer and if someone has a problem with my work, fine, get over it. But if it is a unanimous opinion, I just strive to improve it and I seriously thought there was something lacking in my story, and therefore appealed to the readers what it could be, or to just keep writing and it was, just as you said, only because I have three chapters. Thankyou for your review though! And I hope you like the HPSS part! It might be in a couple of chapters yet though.. I think, not sure… hope you liked this chapter! :)
S: of course you're important, lol! Yeah, I won't re-do anything, but as crudedly pointed out, it is possible it was just because the story was still short. This has been my longest chapter yet, though! Woo! Go me! Lol, I gets loads of weird typos too… little buggers
Bibliossalutes Nope, will not stop for anything! Lol. The person jumps when Hermione told them the news was to signify and show how the news caused somewhat of a scene, a ruckus, everyone got really excited and all began talking at once. If you have any problems, please email me by my other pen name's email, because I actually read that one, lol! Other pen name is : Lisa13 Thanx for reviewing!! :D
SilkeGermany? Cool! Never been there! Oh well… :( Yeah, I get what you mean about not interfering, but please don't let that stop you. I hope this chapter doesn't let you down…
Marry: I thought your English was very good! Just a few grammar errors, but nothing that made it hard to read! Thanks for your loyalty! It means a lot to me! ;)
Hots4harry73: I'm glad you think this is interesting so far, and hopefully it won't lack being so! Thanks for the review, and I definitely plan to continue!
….: lol, thanks for the encouragement!
I have no name: Wow, definitely one of the most passionate reviews I've received! Thanks so much! I totally agree, Snarry are the best, but there will be a few misunderstandings in the way at first… hint-Malfoy-hint…
Thanks to all who reviewed, it means a lot, and has really encouraged me to continue! I hope I didn't disappoint anyone and that you all will stick around for the next chapter, thankyou!
-Lisa (also Lisa13)